The Armour Archive

Robert of Canterbury

Diomedes, if you're going 14th, then flat may well be the right thing. Have you found any sources indicating it was in use in eastern europe at the time? I don't know that it wasn't, and I understand that the 14th is the time flat mail makes it into common usage. Does anyone know when it begins to d...

Robert of Canterbury

I made a badge some years ago. It was a bit too thin, and I was using the wrong pewter.

My pewtering skill level is Much higher now.

I'll get it out tonight, re-work it, and let you all know the results tomorrow morning.

Watch this space,

Robert.

Robert of Canterbury

Diomedes, Might I ask why you are going for flatwire? As far as I know, and certainly the only samples I've seen, roman mail was round/oval wire, and in very small diameter rings. Happy to be proved wrong, but I think 14thC flatwire mail would be a step in the wrong direction. Sources for said mail?...

Robert of Canterbury

Yes. Just a cardboard template. Practice a little first on some scrap canvas, and you really can paint a uniform line with one pencilled guideline and a 2" brush. I can't recommend the little paper models idea highly enough. I presume you're familiar with m We were extremely fortunate to have a...

Robert of Canterbury

Nice work! A couple of tips; You might want to loosely tack the bottom of the Valence to the wall seams. Sew through the lip of the seam and leave 15mm of thread slack between the wall and the valence. It will stop the Valence from flipping up in the wind. If you want to decorate your tent do it now...

Robert of Canterbury

Beeswax should actually be pretty good with rum & Coke.

Its fairly acid resistant, and as long as it doesn't get too warm, will not be dissolved by the booze.

I believe brewers pitch is favoured by many, Michael de Buslingthorpe is the man to ask.

Robert of Canterbury

Oskar der Drachen wrote:
Winterfell wrote:I am holding out for a gatling ballista.

There is actually historical precedent (at least in design specs) for a chain driven ballista. Greek Vintage.
.

Demetrios Poliorketes? I think he's the chap you are thinking of..

Robert of Canterbury

Drop a line to Tim Dawson, (levantia at hotmail.com)

He covered a lot of items similar to this one in a recent presentation I was lucky enough to attend.

Robert of Canterbury

Sorry Norman, Knighthood doesn't exist outside of Christendom. The use by crusaders and medieval observers of the term, is trying to place them (the foriegners) into a social hierarchy the reader would understand - it dosen't, and didn't admit them into the Brotherhood of Arms of Christendom and Kn...

Robert of Canterbury

As someone who fights in a lot of steel I thought I might address Some of the most frequently quoted drawbacks of a predominantly steel harness. I started in 16ga mild, and moved to springsteel after five years. I've done a fair amount of traveling with kit, in the UK, Throughout europe, to & fr...

Robert of Canterbury

At Range I'll pay most attention to the weapon/hand/shoulder area. I watch the tip if its a pole/spear In close I try to track my opponents Shoulders as much as anything, but mostly I use the force. Vision is a fairly fleeting thing in my helm.. http://members.armourarchive.org/robertdc/Eyeslots.jpg

Robert of Canterbury

Can we have Pictures?

Robert of Canterbury

Hey Wyrm,

A pair of those Oseberg Box/chest/seats that Crimmthan linked to would be the coolest thing! you could carve the bejesus out of them too.

Also, have a look at this,
http://tech.cls.utk.edu/wood/sweden2006 ... 00_JPG.htm

from this site,
http://tech.cls.utk.edu/wood/research/index.htm

and try a google search for "Medieval sawdust"

Robert of Canterbury

Rather than dish soap, (which I suspect (with no solid scientific reason) may be detrimental to the rubber long term) I have used a little bit of vegetable oil. I second the trefoil version, as the two-struts and a rocker (imagine a sextant) type has too much variance in its give. I will add that I ...

Robert of Canterbury

So some options are; Gunnar RÃ³hurÃ°ar (Ship'sYardShoulders) HurÃ°ar-Gunnar (Shoulders Gunnar) Gunnar breiÃ°hurÃ°ar (Broadshoulders) Gunnar hamrammihurÃ°ar (stronglybuiltshoulders) I quite like HamrammihurÃ°ar, it has a kind of "Built like a brick shithouse" ring to it. (Is that expression...

Robert of Canterbury

damn this archive is a fine colection of obscure knowledge on demand IvarH or Ingvarr, can you explain the Knarrbringa reference? Atli, if you can dig out the yard word that would be grand. Mord, is the convention always name nickname, (Gunnar the wide) or does it also run Nickname name? (Wide Gunnar)

Robert of Canterbury

I am looking for a norse nick-name or byname that fits the idea of Broad or wideshouldered. eg, shipsides, churchdoor (As wide as a..) broadside, etc.

Any ideas?

Robert of Canterbury

Charny wrote:He who does more is of greater worth

He who does best is most worthy

Robert of Canterbury

Novel,

The Greatpipe in the background is Medieval, but the Smallpipes/uileann/northumbrian pipes are a later development (Late 17thC).

I think the Harp being played might be relatively modern as well, but I'm less sure there..

Funky Stuff though.

Robert of Canterbury

possibly,

Per chevron gules three crosses barbee and sable a chalice Or.

One word less

Robert of Canterbury

from m "ultima ratio regum" Tr. 'The final argument of kings.' Louis XIV of France, recognized that force is the final argument, so he directed that his cannons carry the engraving "ultima ratio regum" (1650). The phrase was adopted in the form of "Ultima ratio regis" f...

Robert of Canterbury

Et Voila!

you wanna be a seleucid companion cavalryman

Robert of Canterbury

Very little hard evidence is available, but there is what appears to be a resonably well thought out article here

This really is a bit of an evidential black hole, so any definitive answer is going to be tricky, I think.

Robert of Canterbury

I just found the Museum with no Frontiers

All kinds of goodies stashed away in there, from museums all over the world.

Robert of Canterbury

Rings. A ring from the King's/Queen's hand is a fine thing to receive. Wire & Bead, flat-cast in pewter, however you can. Friends of mine found a jeweler in Vietnam who made them a bunch of lovely cabuchon stone wire hoop rings. I have also had a fine silver & Garnet Stirrup ring, which was ...

Robert of Canterbury

Regarding maintainance of non stainless armour. Nine months ago, after a recommendation I started using liquid lanolin as a preventative measure on my springsteel harness. I have had no corrosion problems since. Each piece of kit has its own cotton drill bag, (Flannel or wool might be better) and af...

Robert of Canterbury

Regarding maintainance of non stainless armour. Nine months ago I started using liquid lanolin as a preventative measure on my springsteel harness. I have had no corrosion problems since. Each piece of kit has its own cotton drill bag, (Flannel or wool might be better) and after practice the insides...

Robert of Canterbury

Frieman, Have you considered that you may not be at a 'start over' point, but a 'rest and revision' point. Sometimes you need to stop trying to learn new stuff, and let all the new ideas and your new fitness level sort themselves out and integrate into your fighting. Has anyone whose judgement you t...

Robert of Canterbury

When I asked him how he would feel if a small group of heavy fighters would show up to Rent A Don (regular fencing event here) and demanded that the event steward make room indoors for the heavy fighting and that the fencing tournament suddenly took second billing, he was incensed - "That woul...

Robert of Canterbury

Its official, and it won't be re-locating to Oxford.

http://www.textileconservationcentre.so ... tion.shtml

Bugger.

Robert of Canterbury

Turbans,

Take a long piece of light cotton and futz with it, or if you want more detailed instructions, They are available from Cariadoc's Miscellany in pdf form here

some discussion on Headgear here

Robert of Canterbury

My Corrazina is a light leather shell with plastic plates. (I'm on the right)

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Robert of Canterbury

I have never used a trigger. If I have my sword knocked away, or torn from my grasp in the press, then it dangles from my wrist by its lanyard. I can call a hold if needs be. If my sword is being knocked or torn away, and it is attached to my index finger... The prospect of a three foot lever being ...

Robert of Canterbury

SirMendor AKA Charles De Cheveaux, SCA Charley Horse?! Really. You may not be trying to irritate people, but I fear you may be doing so regardless. On the matter of fencing jackets, you most certainly can make them yourself. Talk to your local fencing marshal about penetration testing and how it is...

Robert of Canterbury

I'm reminded of the Roman leather bikini in the Museum of the City of London Nope, just undies - and quite possibly solely for use during the menstral cycle. Which doesn't mean I don't plan to make some, just to see how they work on the body. I thought there was quite good supporting evidence in Pa...

Norse nick-names

Great resource for Islamic history, art & material cultu

Rust Prevention

:( Southampton Uni Textile Conservation Centre to Close

Re: hmm...home made fencing jacket?